Once it gets hot, figuring out where to take the kids becomes its own kind of stress. You want somewhere that works for the ages you’re dealing with, isn’t a total circus, and doesn’t cost a fortune. Salt Lake actually has a lot of good options across the city but it’s just not always obvious which ones are worth it until you’ve already tried a few.
Here’s what I’d point you toward.
Murray Outdoor Aquatic Center
📍 5109 S Murray Park Lane, Murray
🕚 Daily: 12 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
💰 Children (1-2 years) $1 | Youth (3-17 years) $4 | Adults (18-59 years) $5
One of the more complete setups in the county. It’s nestled inside Murray Park with a four-story waterslide, two diving boards, a zero-depth entry beach area, water toy features, and plenty of deck and grass space.
The zero-depth entry makes it workable for toddlers, while the waterslide and diving boards give older kids something to actually get excited about. Admission is first-come, first-served with no waitlist. It shifts to weekend-only hours after August 15th through Labor Day, so get your weekday visits in earlier in the summer if that matters for your schedule.
Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center
📍 5624 Cougar Lane, Salt Lake City
🕚 Mon-Sat: 12 p.m.-8 p.m. | Sun: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
💰 Members and Children (2 & under) Free | Youth (3-17 years) $6 | Adults (18-59 years) $8
The dependable option when the weather doesn’t cooperate, since this one’s indoors. The indoor leisure pool has play pools with interactive toys, a lazy river, and slides, plus a separate lap pool.
The mix of features works well for a family with kids at different ages, younger ones in the play pool, older ones on the slides, and anyone who wants to swim laps can do that separately. Open year-round. Open swim times move around lessons and fitness classes, so check the current schedule before heading over.
Liberty Park Pool
📍 650 E 900 S, Salt Lake City
🕚 Mon-Sat: 12 p.m.-6 p.m. | Sun: 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
💰 $2.50 for all ages | Free for ages 2 and under and 80+
The location is hard to beat here; you’re already in one of the best parks in the city, so swimming becomes just one part of the afternoon. It’s a seasonal pool with a zero-depth beach entry, which works well for younger kids who aren’t ready for deep water. After a swim, you can spend the rest of the day in Liberty Park itself without having to pack up and drive anywhere.
South County Outdoor Pool
📍 12765 S 1125 W, Riverton
🕚 Mon-Sat: 12 p.m.-6 p.m. | Sun: 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
💰 Children (2 & under) Free | Youth & Seniors $2.50 | Adults $4.50
Built more for serious swimming than splashing around. Located next to Riverbend Golf Course in Riverton, it has high and low diving boards, a 50-meter lap length, and a large grass area.
Best for older kids and adults who want to actually swim laps or use the diving boards, rather than families with toddlers. It’s also the go-to for the south end of the county, so Riverton, South Jordan, and Herriman families don’t have to drive into the city. Seasonal, typically open through late summer.
Magna Pool
📍 3270 South 8400 West, Magna
🕚 Mon–Sat: 12–6 p.m. | Sun: 12–4 p.m. | Extended family swim Mon and Wed 6–8 p.m.
💰 $2.50 for all ages | Free for ages 2 and under and 80+
Magna Pool sits next to the Magna Recreation Center and Pleasant Green Park, with a zero-degree beach entry, 25-yard lap length, two diving boards, two waterslides, and a splash pad. The combination of features covers a wide age range; toddlers can wade in through the zero-depth entry while older kids hit the waterslides and diving boards.
What makes this one stand out is the price — $2.50 flat for basically everyone is hard to argue with. The extended family swim on Monday and Wednesday evenings runs until 8 p.m., which is useful if you can’t get there in the afternoon.
Wardle Fields Regional Park Splash Pad
📍 14148 South 2700 West, Bluffdale
🕚 Wed–Sun: 12–8 p.m. | Memorial Day through Labor Day
💰 Free
A free splash pad in a park that has a lot going on beyond just the water. Wardle Fields has a destination playground, a 25-foot fire watchtower with slides, two racing zip lines, a 300-foot bouldering wall, a 20-foot climbing wall, basketball, pickleball courts, and a walking path.
Older kids who aren’t interested in the splash pad have plenty to keep them busy, which makes this one work well for families with a mixed age group. The splash pad water goes through a filter and is then used to irrigate the adjacent park, so it’s running efficiently even in a dry summer. Free, seasonal, runs Wednesday through Sunday only, so plan around that if you’re thinking about a weekday trip.
As a Salt Lake real estate agent, one thing I tell people is to actually use the parks system here. It’s a wonderful resource and a lot of people don’t fully take advantage of it.
Pick something from this list and get out there. You have everything you need right here.
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